OK:
I'm thinking of doing one more order with BMG before it shuts down (I've only ordered twice in the last year I think) and I need help with the Costello remasters.
I'm so confused!
The 2 disc deluxe editions they have on there (they only have 2) came out in 2008 I believe. All the others on there are single disc w/ no bonus cuts-is that correct? Those were from Hip-O I think.
Did all of these come out as 2 disc remasters last year? Also, are the single disc remasters on BMG good? Do they have bonus cuts? If not, what single disc remasters should I seek out? Also, have the Warner Bros. albums been remastered as well?
Thanks!

Skip the single disc Hip-O remasters - they use the same mastering as the 2-disc Rhino versions, without the bonus disc of extra tracks. Hold out for the Rhinos, which also include the Warner Brothers albums (I think maybe the Rhino re-issues of the WB material may still be in print...don't quote me on that).

DO PICK UP the 2 disc Hip-O versions of "My Aim Is True" and "This Year's Model". The live material is essential, especially the 2nd disc of "My Aim Is True".

These are the only 2 disc "Deluxe Editions" released (so far) by Hip-O. No plans on the horizon for anymore.

You are correct that everything else on the BMG Music Club is simply the single-disc remaster without bonus tracks.

Hope that helps.

Steve-thanks! One question-were the Rhinos singles or doubles?

Doubles.

100% correct advice! Seek out all the Rhino doubles on Amazon Marketplace or eBay, then get the Hip-O deluxes to supplement. You'll be real glad you did.

...and if you're a completist, the Rhino "This Year's Model" has 3 tracks left off of the Hip-O deluxe editions.

...which is why it's suggested above to get all the Rhinos AND the Hip-O Deluxe Editions as a supplement!

So now that EC's contract with Universal seems to be complete...and he knew it would be...what was the reason to bring the back catalog to Universal last year? This took a great full catalog campaign (Rhino's) and mucked it all up by splitting off the pre-1987 stuff and deleting a ton of bonus stuff. And now the Deluxe Editions seem to have ceased, and I haven't heard anything else about the proposed re-release of Live at the El Mocambo.

Thanks guys! So, it's Rhino in general, but the 2 deluxe editions that are on BMG even though one is missing 3 songs that a Rhino edition has. Whew! One other question-what albums were remastered by Rhino-all of them?
P.S.
Elvis is on Letterman June 4.

Rhino.....

My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, Armed Forces, Get Happy!!, Trust, Almost Blue, Imperial Bedroom, Punch The Clock, Goodbye Cruel World, King of America, Blood & Chocolate, Spike, Mighty Like a Rose, The Juliet Letters, Brutal Youth, Kojak Variety, and All This Useless Beauty

...and Elvis did the liner notes for all.

Almost...I don't suggest the Hip-O Deluxe Editions in place of the Rhinos of the first two albums...but in addition to. The bonus tracks are mostly different on all.

I have a ? on this topic: Quite awhile back I purchased the Hip-o 2 disc of My Aim Is True & sold my expanded 1 disc. Just got around to listening to disc 1, & to my ears it sounds remixed. There is no mention of remixing in the liner notes. To EC experts: Am I imagining things or.........?

Edit: This disc is horribly compressed & bright. That MAY be why I think I'm hearing a remix. It's somewhat painful to listen too.

The Hip-o (and Rhino) remasters were not remixed. This was never a great sounding recording, but the Rhino is an improvement over the Ryko (the one you sold) to these ears. The Ryko was a little more shrill. The Hip-o and Rhino used the same remasters according to most accounts (I'm not a waveform guy), but they sound very similar to me.

The only other version I can compare to is 80's Colombia cassette. I'll take the Hip-O or the Rhino.

Good...NEVER become a waveform guy. I hate waveform guys!

Hip-O and Rhino are indeed the same mastering...Dan Hersch @ Digiprep

DON'T BUY ANY ELVIS COSTELLO. The definitive remasters are on the way, I'm almost sure of it. The next generation will be the right ones to own.

Also, I'm pretty sure a new Doors best-of and and a new Who collection, both of which will be vast improvements over the 8 or 9 previous versions of each, are just about to hit the market.

(Sorry, I know this isn't helpful, and you have a legitimate question. I just couldn't resist. Other more qualified and less smart-ass forum members are steering you in the right direction.)